ohhhh, you’ve heard the news.. We have a new way to get around, Canada Day is going to be a lot of fun. There will be so much to do. We can gather all our friends, maybe play a game or two.

The girls set out to find their friends, so that they could travel all together.

Ohhh dear, I think that we are not all going to get in the car. that’s OK, we’ll draw straws to see who gets to ride in the car, and who takes the bus.

Hey guys I’m not able to go today, I still have to clean my room, but, I’ll be thinking of you, Take pictures, let me see the fun.

Ohhhhhhh the car is ready to ride, but somehow, I can’t see how I’ll get too many of my friends inside. Dad may have to use the truck. or not =^_^= (he just took time to put my car together)

Ohhhhh non, dit Veronique je suis seule, but my friends they are many… it will never do, we will need to find another way to get downtown. Ginger’s generous offer to drive, was well intended, but, it will be best for us to go by bus. Travel is free today. Some times our friends, mean well, but the situation calls for another way to resolve the challenge at hand. Be grateful, show appreciation and explain why you are deciding another course of action. L’amour et la gentillesse (love and kindness) always work in keeping harmony amongst friends.

Told of the situation, they looked from one another, and began to giggle…all saw the impossibility of riding in the car.. Ahhhhhhhhhhh.. was all they could say between the chortling and giggling… ohhhhhhh c’est drole ahhhhhhhhhh

Let’s rumble they cheered, and headed for the bus stop, giggling all the way.

PL Precept # 4 Being annoyed limits your expression

Have fun in all you do, be flexible, there is always a way…

NB* my first attempt to join in Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS

Although I would like to say that life is rolling along, at its usual pace, it hasn’t. Since my decision to follow through and go to Japan for Kyososai * it has been a merry ride of excitement and new discoveries. Who knew, that one seemingly every day decision to return to Japan, could spur such initiative, and possibilities! Not I. But in PL, it isn’t unusual, and I should be used to it by now, but, I’m not, I ever cease to be amazed at how far-reaching goodwill, friendships, and kindness can reach. What is coming home to me is that miles do not separate kindred spirits, true connections are universal and heartfelt.

PL Precepts # 11 Always be with God

The teachings of Perfect Liberty unite us where-ever we are.

PL Precept # 10 Love yourself and Others

In PL, we learn to appreciate and be thankful for all that happens in our lives. There are no failures, there are opportunities to grow and learn. If one path is not open to us, it is because, we have to redirect our energy and find another way to reach our objective. In TAO, we say, …… the only constant in life is change …….

When a company,church, group or individual, refuses to look at and accept that changes are sometimes necessary to progress and unite, there is disharmony, Life can become stagnant. When we open our hearts and embrace and appreciate the world arround us, we recognize that the unique differences or really sometimes our own perceptions.

PL Principle # 3 I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.

Kyososai: is a special celebration . It is celebrated annually on August 1 with a ceremony at all churches in the world. Kyososai (PL Founders’ Day) in Japan, is HUGE, people come in the 1000s for the celebrations there, it is very famous for “the Art of Fireworks”

Musubi – Oneness, togetherness with Others.

the funny was sent to me by a friend, I found the picture adorable, and my oddball sense of humour, laughed at the caption. =^_^=

Never judge a book by its cover…. our room was clean, big, it had a fridge, microwave, coffee maker, big screen telly and internet. Oh and two big queen size beds. It was just off the big super highway when we turned off on to hwy 15 going into Kingston. This was our view from the balcony ..it wasn’t the time year to be sitting on the balcony but.. wanted to share this with you. The road you see there is the hwy. where you can’t see off to the left is the super one. Yes, we were constantly hearing cars, trucks etc. driving past. In the morning, we were treated to the activity of the heavy equipment being started up. It was all good, we enjoyed ity all.

The pictures were taken early morning, the day following our arrival. Kingston is a popular tourist attraction especially in the summer, and it is not only a military base, but swarming with the activity of the Universities and the buzz of student life. for more on the city you can check out this link

As wonderful as the city is, we were there to treasure hunt and chill. Eartha (name changed to protect the innocent) and I were on an adventure, and yes we included some craft shopping (Michaels) We were in our glory, on the days we were there we encountered nothing but discount days, one store had 75% off, another 50% then the next day or was it the day before it was 40%. It is not the you spend a lot, it is the thrill of the hunt. Some of you will get this, others I know will just shake their darling heads (Hello B!)

Everything was a positive. The internet was iffy in our lodgings, but we were still able to have a giggle, and what messages I did retrieve were so appreciated. We had been told to expect snow, rain, freezing rain, but all day everywhere we were the sun shone down on us, blessing our day with warm sunshine, blue skies, friendly people, we laughed, we talked, and we ate.

We found this restaurant called the Mandarin (no it was not lost) it was just new to us. =^_^=…. Chinese New Year as most of you know by now is coming up Feb. 7 in China, 8th here. Already the celebrations have begun. It is a big restaurant (franchised) that means the different Mandarins, for example there is a big one near here in Orleans, are owned by different people. This one, was in full-blown celebration mode, with the red lanterns and the red symbols of good luck, prosperity, health and happiness festooned all over in all the rooms.

Yes, there were different rooms with different themes, on our last day we sat in the Fish room. Huge divider of tropical fish and Chinese wall mural of fish. The servers and attendants were all in smart well pressed uniforms of Chinese red, the ladies sported tops in Chinese brocade, everyone had training in how to greet guests, the special bow, the hot towels prior to eating and then another fresh hot towel after the meal. the service was 1st class excellent! The owner made the rounds, welcoming everyone, and offering the traditional red envelopes. A grand experience.

It was a wonderful time away, it wasn’t the destination, but the getting there. Once there it wasn’t our physical environment, but the sense of happiness and friendship that carried us through the various things we did. The discoveries we shared. We didn’t think about tomorrow, we lived the moments and therefore, we were constantly celebrating the “wonders ” of the day.

The start of a new year should always be a celebration of new beginnings and the renewal of the joy in our hearts. We sweep out the old and bring in the new. According to Chinese tradition, a red envelope is a symbol of luck. When we give someone a red New Year envelope, we are wishing them good health, wealth and luck for the coming year.

Happy July 4th. to all of you who are having a week-end of celebrations. When we were in Upper NY State at the start of the week, we saw many preparations already being put into place. Banners and flags, it was very festive, now that the day is here, I expect there will be dazzling fireworks and a lot of get togethers. Somehow when I think of July 1st (Canada Day) and July 4th. (American Independence Day) I relate it to happy get togethers with friends and family.

If we approach everything in life with the firm belief that everything is for the best, and that the experience, or moment will be one that will provide growth and development,… what a positive it will be,

The days have been full of sunshine, although I’m told that in Texas it is also VERY hot. Holland has been going through its own heat spell. Where I am i Canada, I look out and see the cherries ripening on the tree, the birds have been flying in and out of the branches having their morning treats. Until recently the Saskatoon berries were in abundance, if you drove by you would have seen me reaching up into the tree taking my share. =^_^= Nature provides.

Like this:

Pure vintage we would never see this today, cigarettes are no longer in vogue, but the artist put together a picture showing a couple showing their togetherness, his arm holding hers, their cigarette tips touching, note that the gesture forms a heart connecting them. OK OK, I’m allowed some poetic licence. LOL I thought it charming =^_^=

Hearts and Flowers day isn’t just for lovers, it is a day that celebrates caring and love. although over the years the marketing has been more and more about the gifts one gives, or tied to romantic stories, new engagements, marriages, and first dates etc. I see it more as a day of love,period. A good friend recently lost one of her parents, which is a time of loss, she and her family have chosen to celebrate their loss, by celebrating the parent’s life. How joyful, to honour the life and the positives this person gave to other during her lifetime. Love is a blessing in our lives. the word itself has been so used and misunderstood, but in reality, it is LastingONENESS (with God) and Vibration (energy) that is Endless. Oyashikiri